Typewriting machine



June 27, 1939. a. c. STICKNEY TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed May 4, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 XXXXXI I lm/nfor:

June 27, 1939. I B, c, sTl KNEY 2,163,921

TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed May 4, 51935 4 Sheets-Sheet s June 27, 1939. I B, Q sT E 2,163,921

TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed May 4, 1955 4 Sheets-Shet 4 mwnfar:

Patented June 27, 1939 PATENT'OFFICE TYPEWRITING MACHINE Burnham C. Stickney, Hillside, N. J., assignor to Underwood Elliott Fisher Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application May 4, 1935, Serial No. 19,798

1'4'Claims.

This invention relates to the type-bar systems of typewriting machines, especially those of the Elliott-Fisher class, in which the types strike down upon a flat platen,.and in which compact- 5:1.ness is therefore a desideratum, since the system of type-bars stands behind the printing point. H

In said machines, each type-bar is provided with two types. Each type-block isswiveled upon the type-barto have an independent motion in the radial plane in which the type-bar swings; and it'has. been proposed to double the number of type-bars and fix one type permanently upon each bar, so as to avoid the neces- ;:si.ty for an independent type-shifting operation, and to improve the character of the imprint and gain other advantages.

The invention relates to this class of machines having twice as many. type-bars as keys, go andrelates more particularly to the case-shifting mechanism whereby either one of a brace of typerbarsmay, be actuated. by the same key.

According to the present invention, each key is connectedto its type-bars by means of a train which at one point ramifies to its type-bars, and by this means the desired control is effected, Without resorting to the expedient of disconnecting all the keys from one set of type-bars, and. then reconnecting them to the other set' of ,type-bars, preparatory .to starting a type-key into operation.

According to these improvements, there is no disconnecting or reconnecting; and so no time is lost.-As above stated, each key remains per-.-

.,manently connected by ramifying connections to a. brace of type-bars. .A third element cooperates with'the ramifiedtrain, said third element being operated by'a shift-key.- The function of the. shift-element is therefore to act upon the key-trains and modify their operation. The. case-shift key selects the type-bar to be printed by the type-key, for one branch of theramified train .is effective While the other branch is ineffective.

The operation of any type-bar by its key, de-

pends partly upon the case-shifting mechanism. Each branch of the ramification under the control of any type-key, is capable of either an efii-' cient type-bar swinging movement, or a useless stirring that fails to operate the companion type-bar. Which ofthe branches shall be efiicient, and which shall be idle, depends upon the action of the case-shift key.. Normally each I .,lower-case.type-bards operated by its key, with the connection tothe upper-case type-bar merely markingtime.

Depression of the shift-key reverses the situation, andthe key connections to the upper-case type-bars are rendered efficient, while the lower 5 case type-barbranches merely mark time.

The importantadvantage: gained is that after the shift-key has beenstarted down, the operator-need no longer wait, but may depress the type-bar key, which therefore may start its 10 stroke before the keyeshifting operation is completed. Hence the operator does not need to be hampered by the necessity of giving attention to the matter of delaying thestrokeof the typekey until the shift-key stroke is finished. 15

Uponthe capital letter having been typed, the operator may pay no attention to the sequence of the release of the shift-key'and the type-key,

since each is returned to normal position with- V out clash or faulty action. Hence the single set 2 of type-keys is given practically perfect control over the double set of type-bars.

Ineachtrain from type-key to its brace of type-bars, is includeda ramification in the form ,of companion jacks. At the depression of any 25 key, one of its jacks may transmit the key stroke to the type-bar, while the other jack may merely stiridly. The two jacks are pivoted upon a pintle that is provided upon a yoke, which may lie between the jacks, and whichis operated by the 30 key. When it is desired for the jack to act efficientlyas a lever, there is used a saddle, which serves as a fulcrum upon which the jack can bear, whereby the jack is enabled to pull the type-bar down to .print. 35

Atthis time,..the.saddle forthe otherjack is out of use; andhence no power is transmitted from the key'to the other type-bar. The function of the shift-:key is towithdraw one set of saddles, and advance to working position the 4 other set of saddles, there being one saddle for every jack, and there being as many jacks as there are type-bars. All of the jacks in both sets are controlled by means of a single annular case-shifting bar. This bar may maintain either 45 one set'of saddles or theother firmly in working positions. When the bar is in elevated position; it may hold up all the lower-case saddles. By: moving the bar down, it may advance to working positions all of the upper-case saddles, 5

" but permit the lower-case saddles to withdraw.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figural is'a. perspective View on an enlarged 55.

scale, showing a brace of type-bars and novel shiftable operating trains, the parts being shown in normal positions.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation taken from front to rear of an Elliott-Fisher typewriting machine having the present improvements applied thereto, the parts being shown in normal posi tions.

Figure 3 is a sectional plan showing the radial type-bars and shiftable operating trains therefor.

Figure 4 illustrates the operation of the preferred form of case-shift mechanism in about midway position, or after operation has begun and before it is completed. In the same view is shown a type-key depressed about half-way. This view shows that the shift-key operation can be in progress while the type-bar is making its printing stroke. It may also be regarded as showing return strokes, and in this way it proves that the shift-key may be returning while the type-bar is also returning; thus conducing to speed and certainty of operation.

Figure 5 shows the shift-key depressed; and it shows the type-bar trains as connected to operate the capital or upper-case type-bars.

Figure 6 shows a somewhat modified construction of certain features of the invention.

Figure 7 shows a type-key fully depressed; the shift mechanism being understood to be a normal position, so that lower-case type prints.

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing one manner of effecting the shifting of the arcuate group of yokes by means of a curved shift-rod supported upon parallel-motion links.

In the Elliott-Fisher typewriter, types strike down upon a work-sheet carried upon a flat platen ID. Type-keys II depress levers I2, fulcrumed at I3 and having return springs I4. Key-levers are connected by thrust links I5 with sub-levers I6 of the first order, pivoted at I! upon posts I8 that rise from a bed-plate I 9, which is in rear of the type-bars and overlies the platen, along which the type-bar carriage travels.

In place of the usual system of double-type bars, one for each key, the present improvement employs a system of type-bars each carrying a single type 20, so that there are twice as many of the type-bars 2|, 35 as there are keys. The types are firmly supported and caused to make clear and satisfactory type-impressions, and are relatively quiet, and capable of high speed of operation.

Each sub-lever I6 may operate either one of two adjoining type-bars. Normally they operate the lower-case type-bars; but, upon depressing a shift-key 22, the sub-levers I6 become operatively disconnected from the lower-case and operatively entrained with the upper-case typebars.

The present inmprovements therefor relate to shiftable connections between keys and typebars, and are designed to avoid faulty action of the trains under all ordinary working conditions.

Each of the key-operated radiating sub-levers I6 is connected by a novel train to a brace of type-bars. The train includes a link 23 and a novel yoke 24. These yokes are individually fulcrumed at 25 upon hangers 26, arranged in an arcuate row and pendent from the main plate I9 of the carriage-framework.

Depression of a type-key II, Figure 7, swings down the key-lever I2 and by means of link I5 depresses the rear end of sub-lever I6, thereby lifting the front end 34 thereof, together with its pendent link 23. This swings the yoke 24 about its fulcrum 25 to the Figure 7 position.

The depression of the pintle 21' of the yoke carries down companion jacks 28, 29. These jacks connect said yoke to a brace of type-bars. While either jack is transmitting power, the other jack must be idle. As shown at Figure '7, the machine is set to print lower-case.

The pintle 21, as it descends, causes jack 28 to rock as a lever of the first order, being fulcrumed upon a saddle 31, and thereby pull up its link 30. The lower end of the link is pivoted to an ear 32 on the lower-case type-bar 2 I, to swing the same down to the platen to print, Figure '7.

Thus elevation of the forward or inner end of any yoke 24 by means of its key II, causes the rear end of the yoke to swing down and impart movement to the companion jacks 28, 29, pivoted on pintle 21. At their lower ends the jacks are pivoted to the pendent pull-links 39, 3 I, the latter being articulated to ears 32, 33 on the brace of type-bars 2I, 35. It will thus be seen that jacktrains ramify from each key-operated lever I6 to a brace of type-bars, so that each key may swing down one type-bar to print, while the companion type-bar is unaifected and remains motionless. Yet all parts of the power-transmitting trains are permanently connected, so that the beginning of the down stroke of the type-key does not have to await the completion of the down stroke of the shift-key. There is no liability of clashing or misoperation of either the shift-key mechanism or the type-key trains.

The upper end of companion jack 29 at this yoke-stroke vibrated idly in consequence of its connection to the pintle 21 of the yoke 24. It will be seen that there was no saddle positioned so that it could serve as a fulcrum for jack 29, and this will account for the idleness of the jack, Figure 7, while the companion jack 28 was driving its (lower-case) type-bar 2|. Hence the upper-case type-bar, which is entrained with jack 29, was not stirred.

The saddle has the form of a shiftable arm, the tip of which at Figure 7 is shown as supporting or serving as a fulcrum for the jack 28. There is one of these saddles 3! for every jack 28. They are pivoted upon a curved wire 38, to be shifted up and down into and out of effective position by means of key 22. It is only when the saddle 3'Iis in its upper or advanced position, Figure 7, that it can serve as a fulcrum for the jack 28.

Normally the depression of any type-key will cause its associated jack 28 to fulcrum upon saddle 31 and swing the lower-case type-bar 2I down to print; and at this operation every companion jack 29 will idle about the pivot 21, without operating the companion (upper-case) type-bar 35.

When the case-shift mechanism is in normal position, as at Figure 2, any type-key II may be depressed, and, by means of its link I5 and sublever I6, may pull up the link 23 and thereby rock the yoke 24. The pintle 21 thereon forces down the rear end of the lower-case jack 28, which rocks upon the rigid saddle 31, and therefore rises at its forward end, pulling up the link 30 and vibrating the type-bar 2I to print a lower-case type upon the platen ID, as seen at Figure 7.

Upon release of the type-key, the parts may be returned by springs to normal positions; as, for example, spring 40 may aid in returning the type-bar, the link 30, and the remainder of the key-train. The usual springs I4 may also aid in returning these parts; and these springs may be varied-or applied irrdiffei'entways or at dif ferent anglesor increased in number, according to the judgment of those "skilled in the art.

When it is desired toprint capital letters, the shift-key 22 may be depressed, thereby efiecting the'with'drawal ofall the'saddles 31 and advancing to-working position their companion saddles 4| (Figure 5). When in working position, the saddles '4l serve as fulcra'for the companion jacks 29, which are all upper case; The disabling of the lower-case" saddles 31, and the advancing'of the upper-case saddles 4| to working positions, may be seen at Figure '5; and it will be understood that the lower-case jacks 28 will now move idly at the'depression of their connected keys, while the upper-case jacks 29 will fulcrum upon their'saddles- 4| and therefore vibrate the" upper-case type-bars by means of the pull-links 3|." This compound operation is seen "-in progress tinfull lines at Figure 4; that is,

the ease-shifting mechanism and the type-operating mechanism" are shown in simultaneousdownward motion, althoughgenerally the caseshifting'operation may be completed before the start of the type-bar;

By-means of a single shift-bar42, all of the jacks in the two systems may be controlled. This is a segment of an annular bar, see Figure 8, and

is mounted for parallel up-and-down movement 30 upon a pair of spaced links 43, at the sides of the type-bar system, which co-operate with a third midway link 44 at'the 'rear. The links 43 are connected by swivels 45 to the ends of the annular shift-bar, and the link 44 is pivoted -to a lug 46'pendent from the middle of the same bar, so that the latter may "maintain a level position when shifting up and down. Said links 43 are also connected to each other by means of a rocking cross-shaft 41, having arms 48 on its ends, which are connected by forwardly-extending links 49 to operate arms 50, which together with the links 43 form bell-cranks.

This annular shifting bar may be held up by from their own fulcrum-rod 38, and swing in a direction that is nearly at right angles to the vertical direction of movement of the shift-bar 42.

The shift-key 22'having been depressed, the annular shift-bar 42 is forced down, thus camming forwardly all the arms 52 pendent from the upper-case saddles, thereby camming said saddles 4| upwardly from the position at Figure 2 to the position at Figure 5; 'while support is withdrawn from the saddles 31, so that they drop to idle position, seen at Figure 5.

Atthe depression of any type-key, the yoke 24 must nowrock the upper-case jack 29 about the saddle 4|, while the lower-case jack 28 atv the same time vibratesxuselessly, owing to the with- -'drawal of the saddle 31. to theFigure 5 position.

The annular shift-bar will remain in this depressed'position as long asthe key 22 is held --dro pback to'idleposltionsi From -the"foregoing ,=-itwill be 'seen that when the shift-key is held down, the type-keys will all cause'upper-case--types to print; but that when the shift-key is in-normal elevated position, the type-keys will all causelower-case types to print.

Heretofore, ina single 'type bar-shifting operation, it has been proposed to use a make-andbreak connection betweeneach set of type-bars and the common set of type-keys; the shift-key making a complete break in the type-key trains, and further making a complete reconnection of the same trains to'the companion type-bars, and

operation of a third'element, namely, the shiftkey, which modifies the movement of the train that ramifies from each key to the companion type-bars, causing one part of the train to work efliciently while the counterpart fails to work at all, or just stirs idly.

This co-operation of the-third part, namely the shift-key, with the first two parts, namely the type-key and the brace of type-bars, maytake effect during'the"operation'of the shift-key,

so that it is not necessary for the operator to keep it in mind to delay the operation of the typekey awaiting the completion of the depression of the shift-key.

For example, at Fi'gure4, it will be seen that the annular shift-bar '42 is being depressed and still has some distance to go, while the type-key is depressed about half-way, and the lower-case type-bar is descending to'the platen; the uppercase type-bar 2| not having been disturbed. The

upper-casejack- 29 is being rocked upon its saddle 4| and'is pulling up the type-bar link 3| even though said saddle 4| is being still advanced by the annular shift-bar 42; while the lower-case saddle 31 has dropped out of the way, to abort any operation of the lower-case type-bar 2|.

Moreover, there is nonneed for the'operator to keep it in mind to lift the finger completely ofifrom the type-key before he begins to release the shift-key; but the lattermay be making its up stroke before the type-bar has completely risen back to normal positionyas willalso be understood from'Figure 4. -This conduces to speed of manipulation of the keyboard, and relieves the operator ofthe necessity of attending to exact timing of the shift-key and'type-key operations.

In the Elliott-Fisher machine, the key-levers l2have adjustable'screws 56, to operate a transverse universal'ibar '54, which is connected to a vibrating frame "55': to "control" the timing'oi the typewriter-carriage feed, etc.; and, if desired the range'of movement of this bar 154 may be limited by an adjustable stop'51, Figure 2.

If desired, vertical 'fixed'guides 60 may be provided for the segmental" annular shift-bar 42,

to support the-bar against the lateral pressure of'the saddle-arms thereon,' Figure 8.

The typerbars may be mountedin radial guideslots 6|"in a segment 62, supported on brackets I 63 below the Elliott -Fisher-marriage-floor e4;

These radial slots 6| are-lengthened so that the bladed hubs |i5 6f the type=barsmay-be guided the sets of jack-fulcrums being shiftable by said therein, so as to minimize or eliminate the necessity for a center guide for the types.

In the form shown at Figure 6, the yoke 24 has a lengthened rear arm for carrying the jacks 28, 29, thus improving the operation of the jacks. The type-bar-returning spring is seen at 61 connected directly to the type-bar between the ends thereof.

The saddles 37, 4| are pivoted upon the curved wire 38 and are guided in slots 68 of a segment 69.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. The combination of a system of type-bars, a case-shift key, a system of two sets of jacks, one jack for each type-bar, sets of fulcrums for said jacks, said fulcrums being side by side, means to enable said case-shift key to control retraction and restoration of said fulcrums, a

system of yokes, each carrying two jacks side by side, and a system of keys operatively connected to said yokes.

2. The combination of a system of keys, a system of type-bars, a segmental system of two sets of jacks, one jack for each type-bar, each key being connected to two jacks, sets of fulcrums for said jacks, a case-shift key, and a segmental annular shift-bar operable by said case-shift key,

annular bar, one set being shifted in one direction while the other set is shifted in the opposite direction.

3. The combination of a system of keys, a system of type-bars, a segmental system of two sets of jacks, one jack for each type-bar, each key being connected to two jacks, fulcrums for said jacks displaceable by said keys, a case-shift key, and a segmental annular shift-bar operable by 'said case-shift key, said annular bar forming part of a linkage, whereby the bar has a parallel motion; two sets of fulcrums in the form of pivoted saddles being provided for said jacks, all of said saddles engaging said annular shift-bar to enable it to swing the saddles in either set in the opposite direction from the saddles in the other set.

In a typewriting machine, the combination of a key, a linkage operable thereby and including a yoke pivoted between its ends, one end of said yoke being connected to said key, a pair of jacks pivoted to the other end of said yoke, saddles serving as fulcrums for said jacks, links connecting said jacks to a brace of type-bars, one

' of said saddles being normally collapsed and the case-shift key, said annular bar forming part of a linkage, whereby the bar has a parallel motion; two sets of fulcrums in the form of pivoted saddles being provided for said jacks, all of said saddles engaging said annular shift-bar to enable it to swing the saddles in either set in the opposite direction from the saddles in the other set, each saddle having the form of a shiftable arm, and having a tip to serve as a fulcrum for a jack, and a curved wire whereon the saddles are pivoted; said arms pressing against the case-shift bar in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the bar; the saddles in each set having cam-portions, and those in one set being differently cammed to enable said bar to move one set in the opposite direction from which it is moving the other set, and fixed guides disposed along said bar.

6. The combination of type-bars, a, pair of jacks side by side, a yoke to which the jacks are pivoted, a type-key to operate said yoke, mounts for said jacks, said mounts being side by side, means for displacing either mount and restoring the other, either simultaneously with or before the depression of the type-key, and means connecting each jack to a type-bar.

'7. In a visible-typewriting machine, the combination of a depressible key, a pair of type-bars permanently linked to said key by a master train and a pair of collapsible trains ramifying therefrom to the pair of type-bars, each of said collapsible trains being engaged between its ends by an individual shiftable anchorage effective independently of the other collapsible train, one anchorage being normally idle, and the other anchorage being normally effective, and means for withdrawing either anchorage and simultaneously shifting the other anchorage to effective position.

8. In a visible-typewriting machine, the combination of a system of keys, a system of pairs of type-bars, the type-bars in each pair being permanently linked to the corresponding key by a master train and a pair of collapsible trains ramifying therefrom to the pair of type-bars, a system of shiftable anchorages, one for each type-bar, each of said collapsible trains being ef- Eectively engaged between its ends by its individual shiftable anchorage independently of the other collapsible train, one set of anchorages being normally idle and the other set of anchorages being normally efiective, and key-controlled means effective upon said sets of anchorages simultaneously for withdrawing either set of anchorages and simultaneously shifting the other set of anchorages to effective positions.

9. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a key, a linkage, a pair of jacks mounted side by side and articulated to the same part of said linkage, and permanently connected by said linkage to said key, links separately connecting the jacks to a plurality of type-bars, anchorages for said jacks, one of said jacks being normally anchored and the other normally unanchored, and means for disanchoring one jack and simultaneously restoring the anchorage of the other jack.

10. The combination of a pair of individually collapsible jacks movable independently of each other, a type-key by which they are actuable, type-bars operable by the jacks, independently movable saddles upon which the jacks may anchor, and a key having means for engaging the saddles simultaneously to withdraw either saddle and concomitantly restore the other.

11. The combination of a pair of jacks side by side, a lever having one end to which the jacks are pivoted, a key by which the lever is actuable, type-bars operable by the jacks, saddles upon which the jacks may anchor, and means for withdrawing either saddle and concomitantly restoring the other, each saddle serving as an anchorage for its jack, whereby the jack is enabled to operate the connected typebar while movement of the other type-bar by the key is prevented.

12. The combination of type-keys, type-bars, a pair of jacks side by side, a yoke-lever to which the jacks are-co-axia1ly pivoted, said yoke-lever operable by one of said type-keys, anchorages for said jacks, said anchorages being side by side, means for displacing either anchorage and restoring the other, and means connecting each jack to a type-bar to operate it without disturbing theother type-bar.

13. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a key and a key-operated lever, of a pair of jack-trains ramifying from the same end of said lever, a brace of type-bars connected to said trains, the specified elements being all permanently connected, each jack having an anchorage, and means associated with the anchorages for withdrawing them alternatively, to collapse either jack-train and to restore the other.

14. In a two-case type-action, a primary lever, two type-bar trains ramifying from the same end of the primary lever, each type-bar train including a jack, and a saddle movable against each jack to act as an anchorage and convert said jack into a primary lever, each saddle being retractable from its jack for permitting idle displacement of the latter at operation of said primary lever while the connected type-bar remains stationary.

BURNHAM C. STICKNEY. 

